HCMC – Ho Chi Minh City has launched a 2026-2030 action plan to protect a water supply system serving nearly 1.1 million cubic meters per day, with authorities set to deploy artificial intelligence (AI)-powered monitoring and real-time data management across the city’s irrigation network.
Under the plan, the city aims to ensure that all irrigation systems meet water quality standards for both domestic use and agricultural production by 2030. Following the recent administrative merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, HCMC now manages 1,301 irrigation facilities supplying an estimated 1.1 million cubic meters of water per day and supporting irrigation for more than 115,000 hectares of farmland.
City authorities said rapid urbanization has piled mounting pressure on water quality, citing untreated wastewater from small production facilities and limited cross-provincial coordination in controlling pollution sources in bordering areas. To address these challenges, HCMC plans to move away from conventional manual management methods and accelerate the modernization of water infrastructure through digital technologies.
A central component of the strategy is the installation of automated and continuous monitoring systems at key irrigation corridors, including the Cu Chi East Canal, the Hoc Mon–North Binh Chanh system and major domestic water reservoirs. Data on water quality, discharge sources and environmental fluctuations will be integrated into a centralized database to support real-time monitoring and management.
The city also plans to promote the use of AI to monitor pollution risks, forecast environmental changes and optimize the operation of sluice gates used for salinity control and acid drainage.
Alongside technological upgrades, HCMC will tighten inspections and establish inter-agency coordination mechanisms to better control pollution sources. Authorities also plan to simplify administrative procedures related to environmental permits to help businesses comply with regulations.
Funding for the program will come from a combination of state budget allocations and other legally mobilized social resources as the city seeks to strengthen long-term urban water security.
